DULUTH, Minn. (csssaints.com) – On March 2nd, the NCAA Committee on Infractions (COI) released its decision on violations which involved The College of St. Scholastica and its men's hockey program. The violations concerned the providing of impermissible benefits to student athletes. The COI's decision may be found at HERE

In December of 2020, St. Scholastica investigated an anonymous report of a series of violations that occurred concerning the men's hockey program. The school self-reported the violations to the NCAA. The violations occurred when off-season workouts at Mars Lakeview Arena were observed, when student-athletes were engaged with during athletically-related activities outside the institution's declared playing season, when temporary funds were provided to house student athletes, and when student athletes were provided with meal money.

Following the internal investigation, the school self-imposed penalties.

"The College has been cooperating with the NCAA and the Committee on Infractions throughout the process," said Interim Director of Athletics Merissa Edwards. "We accept the sanctions from the Committee as The College of St. Scholastica takes seriously its responsibility to follow the rules and regulations set forth by the NCAA. We strive to improve our policies and procedures when it comes to educating our coaches, staff and student-athletes on NCAA Division III bylaws." 

This case was resolved through the cooperative summary disposition process, in which involved parties collectively submit the case to the committee in written form. All participating parties agreed to the facts of the case for this process to be used instead of a formal hearing. 

The committee prescribed the following penalties and corrective measures:

• Public reprimand and censure
• Two years of probation 
• A $2,500 fine
• An outside audit of the athletics department's policies and procedures with an emphasis on assisting international students, as well as, onboarding and continued education programs for coaches and staff members when it comes to NCAA legislation

All media inquiries should be directed to Laura Johnson